This is the President's birthday.

We've put up the Stars and Stripes on the roof; and half an hour ago the King's Master of Ceremonies drove up in a huge motor car and, being shown into my presence in the state drawing room, held his hat in his hand and (said he): "Your Excellency: I am commanded by the King to express to you His Majesty's congratulations on the birthday of the President, to wish him a successful administration and good health and long life and to convey His Majesty's greetings to Your Excellency: and His Majesty commands me to express the hope that you will acquaint the President with His Majesty's good wishes." Whereto I made just as pretty a little speech as your 'umble sarvant could.

Then we sat down, I called in Mrs.Page and my secretary and we talked like human beings.
Having worked like the devil, upon whom, I imagine, at this bibulous season many heavy duties fall--having thus toiled for two months--the international docket is clean, I've got done a round of twenty-five speeches (O Lord!) I've slept three whole nights, I've made my dinner-calls--you see I'm feeling pretty well, in this first period of quiet life I've yet found in this Babylon.

Praise Heaven! they go off for Christmas.

Everything's shut up tight.